Zubin Mehta

Mehta, Zubin (zōˈbĭn māˈtə) [key], 1936–, Indian conductor. Son of the violinist Mehli Mehta, founder and conductor of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra, Mehta studied medicine for two years before continuing the family's musical tradition. After two years of study at the Vienna Music Academy, he won first prize at the International Conducting Competition in Liverpool, England, in 1958. Master of a flamboyant style, Mehta specializes in late romantic and early modern symphonic repertoire and in opera. He has served as director of the Montreal Symphony (1961–67), the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (1962–78), the New York Philharmonic (1978–91), and the Israel Philharmonic (1977–).